Lighting unit incorporating loudspeakers

ABSTRACT

A light unit incorporating, above, a sound distribution unit separate from the lamp and protected by an upper cap designated to also form the sound box of the aforementioned sound distribution system. The elements are assembled in such a way as to permit easy access to the sound distribution system independently of the lamp.

United States Patent Geloso, deceased 51 July 25, 1972 [54] LIGHTINGUNIT INCORPORATING LOUDSPEAKERS [72] lnventor: Giovanni Geloso,deceased, late of Corso di Porta Romana 76/2, Milan, Italy by GianfrancaDomini, sole heir [22] Filed: May 19, 1970 [2] Appl. No.: 38,802

[52] U.S.Cl. ..l79/146R [5!] lnt.C|

[5 8] Field of Search 179/146 [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 357,392 3/1938 ltaly ..179/146 582,378 12/1924 France..179/146 836,501 4/1952 Germany ..179/146 Primary Examinen-William C.Cooper Attorney-Edwin E. Greigg 57 ABSTRACT A light unit incorporating,above, a sound distribution unit separate from the lamp and protected byan upper cap designated to also form the sound box of the aforementionedsound distribution system. The elements are assembled in such a way asto permit easy access to the sound distribution system independently ofthe lamp.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJuL25 I972 SHEET 2 [IF 2 LIGHTINGUNIT INCORPORATING LOUDSPEAKERS This invention concerns lightingcombined with a sound distribution system in such a way as to achievesimultaneously the combined effects of lighting and broadcasting music,announcements, information, etc. in a common area.

The combination of lighting and a sound distribution system is achievedin this invention in such a way as to make the sound distribution systemcompletely independent and easily detachable from the lighting system,in order to facilitate its replacement and/or repair.

These lights are basically manufactured in order to resolve in apractical way the problem of sound distribution and at the same timethat of lighting, preferably in open spaces, and essentially consist ofan upper metal dome which performs a protective function, and acts as asound diffuser, supported by a circular plate which separates it fromthe refractor below. The plate effectively closes the upper dome in sucha way as to form an interior chamber in which are fitted theloudspeakers of the sound distribution unit.

The assembly of the various elements can be achieved in any formproviding that it can easily support the sound distribution unit. Thefollowing shows, as examples, three ways of producing the lights, whichare: 7

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of producing the lightand sound distribution system;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of producing the lightand sound distribution system; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of producing the lightand sound distribution system.

Referring now to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the lighting system consistsof a refractor 1 containing a light source not shown, which is supportedon an enlarged collar 2 inserted in and positively fixed on a post 3.

Above the refractor I is fixed a horizontal plate 4 which supports theloudspeakers 5 (only one is shown in the drawing) of the sounddistribution system, said plate being appropriately apertured foremission of the sound. The plate 4 is fixed to the lighting unit bymeans of screws 6-6, which are screwed into a corresponding flange 4provided on the plate and which make contact with a peripheral throat 7formed in the upper edge of the refractor 1. In this way the soundreproduction unit is completely independent of, and detachable from, thelighting unit below it.

Above the plate 4, is placed a dome 8 which protects the lighting unitand serves as a sound difiuser suitable for the sound reproductionsystem. The dome 8 rests on the outer edge of plate 4, held in place andattached to the plate undemeath by a series of screws. This method ofmounting consists primarily of a support having legs 10 and 11 which areappropriately diverged downward, their ends attached to flange 4. Theaforesaid support has an aperture where the legs 10 and 11 converge toallow the passage of a screw 12 which, issuing through means defining ahole made in cap 8, engages with a tapped knob 13 to fix the cap 8 onthe support legs 10 and 11.

The appropriate provision of a gasket, not shown, enables the interiorof the dome to be sealed.

With the assembly shown in FIG. I, it is possible to unscrew screws 6-6,and to disassemble completely the sound distribution system from therefractor to give easy access to the bulb inside the refractor or,alternately, to substitute a new sound distribution unit for a faultyone. On the other hand the sound distribution system may be fixed to therefractor which encompasses the lighting unit, and in this case the dome8 may easily be detached to allow access to the sound distribution unitalone in order to carry out repairs.

Referring to FIG. 2 it can be seen that the lighting unit comprises arefractor 15, in the shape of a truncated cone, which is supported onand partially within an upstanding metal collar 16, appropriately fixedto a support tube or post 17. On the upper edge of the collar 16 isfixed a circular flange 18, which is pivoted at 19 to the plate 20,holding a number of loudspeakers 21 (one only is shown in the drawing)and forming part of the sound distribution system.

A protective dome 22 closes the lighting unit, held in position by apair of opposed screws 23 and 24 which, screwed into an appropriatesleeve fixed to flange 18, hold the elements together.

In addition, the protective dome 22 is suited for attachment by itsouter edge to plate 20, for supporting the loudspeakers in such a waythat the latter are completely protected from the atmosphere.Furthermore, the volume of the protective dome 22 may be calculated insuch a way so that it forms a good soundbox as well. Its desired volumetherefore is a function of the number and type of loudspeakers used.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the lighting unit assemblyshown therein still comprises a refractor 26 above which is fitted anannular plate'27 to support a complex of loudspeakers 28 (only one isshown) in line with the means defining openings 29 provided in theplate, the speakers being inclined towards the top of the plate itself.

On plate 27 there is fitted a protective dome 30 which also serves as areverberation box.

.The aforementioned components are held together by an internal axialtubular element 31, into which is fitted the support hook 32.

More precisely, as shown in FIG. 3, internally of the lower end oftubular element 31 is screwed a threaded connector 33 to which isfastened the upper end of a shaft 34.

Shaft 34 emerges, its lower extremity threaded, from an appropriateaperture provided in the base of the refractor 26, and a knob 35 isscrewed to said extremity to positively fix the refractor 26 to thetubular element 31. The threaded connector 33 has a flanged head whichaxially enters the tubular element 31, to provide a supporting shoulderfor plate 27, which carries the sound distribution system. Inparticular, as shown in FIG. 3, plate 27 has an inner ring 36appropriately fixed rigidly to the plate itself, which is fitted ontothe tubular element 31 and supported by the flange on the head ofconnector 33. In this way the support plates of the loudspeakers areheld up both by this contact with connector 33 and by its contact alongthe outer edge of refractor 26.

At the opposite extremity of the tubular element 31 is fixed a secondtubular element 37 whose lower end 38 has a reduced diameter to enableit to be inserted and fixed inside tubular element 31. The reduceddiameter section 38 of the second tubular element 37 is also insertedthrough a corresponding aperture in the protective dome 30 to lock thedome against the tubular element 31.

Tubular element 37 is also apertured at 38 and 39, and tubular element31 has a central aperture 40 to allow the passage of the conductingwires.

To avoid the possibility of water entering apertures 38 and 39, thesecond tubular element 37 has a downwardly turned cover 41 whichprotects the apertures 38 and 39.

Above the protective cover 41 is fitted the forked support 42 to whichis pivoted the hook 32 which suspends the whole assembly.

It must be understood that what has been described and shown in theattached drawings represents only examples and other variants may bemade without avoiding the protection given to the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an improved lighting unit and sound distribution system, thecombination comprising, a refractor having at least an upper flangeportion and a base, alight source within said refractor, an annularplate having a perimeter provided with a plurality of means definingopenings arranged to be associated with said refractor, a series of loudspeaker units having means adapted to cooperate with the means definingopenings in said annular plate and further arranged circumferentiallyabout the flange portion of said refractor, and a protective dome-likecover enshrouding said sound distribution system and including means forassociating said cover with the perimeter of said annular plate.

2. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim I, wherein therefractor is supported on a post.

3. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedomeclike cover includes means associated therewith that extend axiallytherefrom, said means further adapting said unit to be supported in adependent position from a fixture.

4. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the meansadapting said unit to be supported in a dependent position is associatedwith the base of said refractor.

5. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lightsource includes a support means, said support means being associatedwith said means associated with said domelike cover.

6. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein

1. In an improved lighting unit and sound distribution system, thecombination comprising, a refractor having at least an upper flangeportion and a base, a light source within said refractor, an annularplate having a perimeter provided with a plurality of means definingopenings arranged to be associated with said refractor, a series of loudspeaker units having means adapted to cooperate with the means definingopenings in said annular plate and further arranged circumferentiallyabout the flange portion of said refractor, and a protective dome-likecover enshrouding said sound distribution system and including means forassociating said cover with the perimeter of said annular plate.
 2. Animproved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refractor issupported on a post.
 3. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1,wherein the dome-like cover includes means associated therewith thatextend axially therefrom, said means further adapting said unit to besupported in a dependent position from a fixture.
 4. An improvedlighting unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means adapting saidunit to be supported in a dependent position is associated with the baseof said refractor.
 5. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1wherein the light source includes a support means, said support meansbeing associated with said means associated with said dome-like cover.6. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedome-like cover is supported in spaced relation relative to saidrefractor by annular means interposed between the refractor and thedome-like cover.
 7. An improved lighting unit as claimed in claim 1,wherein the sound distribution system including the loud speakers isremovable as an integral unit from the refractor.
 8. An improvedlighting unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the dome-like cover ispivotally supported adjacent to the refractor by means arranged inspaced relation relative thereto.